Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1930 Reference No: 130 Movement No: 198'406 Case No: 612'715 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal 13", 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k PPCo pin buckle Dimensions: 33mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1930 with and its subsequent sale on May 27, 1936.
Catalogue Essay
It is hard not to be baffled by the intrinsic beautify the present timepiece with its unbelievable multi-tone champagne sector dial, small subcounters and clean lines.
Vintage Patek Philippe chronographs have mesmerized collectors for close to a century and the reference 130 is one the most iconic and recognizable of the brand’s vintage chronographs potently mixing the Caltatrava style with the sporty elegance of a chronograph.
The reference 130 chronograph was in production for almost 30 years, Patek made in stainless steel, yellow and pink gold with a multitude of dial combinations, and as traditional chronographs and single-button chronographs, its simple yet elegant design symbolizes the firm’s balance between classicism and high watchmaking.
The present example is an early and rare combination featuring a single-button chronograph with a multi-tone sector dial.
The present example features a visually arresting multi-tone champagne dial with its raised, enamel printing and rarely seen long signature font (that nevertheless is consistent with other watches from the era) and small subdials. According to the 2007 Christie's catalogue where the watch appeared for the first time, the watch was a special order.
Interestingly the small subdials and the lack of chronograph pushers bring the watch balance, refinement and elegance. Beating inside is a superbly decorated chronograph movement based on a Victorin Piguet ébauche featuring a column-wheel cover, an element that has become a Patek Philippe signature ever since.
Patek Philippe chronograph watches with sector dials remain as unobtainable as they are attractive, as only 3 reference 130 chronographs with horizontal subdials and multi-tone sector dials are known.
The present timepiece from 1930 first came to the auction market in 2007, offered by its original owner, it was reoffered again in 2013 and has since been within the same important European collection making the next owner only the 4th in the past 93 years since its production!
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.